San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1887-07-22
THE AMENDM EMIT.

There is but one question before the
people Of this great state today, and 1t Is
the most important that has been pre-
sented since the ordinance Of secession
was submitted. There appears to be
very little idea OF the enormity OF the
fraud that is about TO be perpetrsted on
the people Of this state. The PROPOSE
tion contained in the amendment speaks
Of Intoxicating liquors, but it means
representative free government. 1t is
spelled "whisky," but it is pronounced
constitutional liberty" The amend
ment is the most direct drive at rights
of minorities ever attempted in the
south. The amendment, if carried, will
forever wipe out Of existence the of
setting force of minority, and the idea
If it becomes general will explode the
very notion OF the rights OF
the minority. That the amendment is
destined to carry is no longer as unCer-
tain as cOald be wished. Every day
renders more certain the fact that the
amendment will carry all north and
east Texas by G. handsome majority.
The only uncertainty now remaining is rs
to the cOunteraeting effect of the vote in
south Texas. The efforts Of prohibition
lists In south Texas are being put forth
with a persistencY and GOODNESS that
promises to cut the expected anti prohi-
Of Il
least possible proportions. There is no
representation no matter how untrue,
no statement no matter how false, that
is not at command Of prohibition ora
tors, to deceive the people and make
votes. To everything else is this one
idea subOrdinated. Making votes. OHce
the amendment ia carried and the state
lies prone and shOrn of all power to help
herself. then will the movers OF this con
spiracy against the liberties of the state
be ready TO sgitste for purely prOhibi-
tion legislature to forge the chains and
rivet the shackels for which this amend
ment ia the constitutional and Legal
warrant. Southern Texas is alive and
will be until the night OF August third
with prohibition agitators and orators,
who are determined to tide this state
into the cross currents Of sumptuary
legislation and all the attendant evils
OF a system which must depend upon
the spy and the informer for
its enforcement. 1t is a very grave is-
sue which is before the people OF the
state and there are hundreds whose bust
ness interests are &C stake who are so
utterly Indifferent to the issue that it is
extremely uncertain whether they can
be depended upon to even go to the
polls and cast vote TO prevent the sac
rIfice of republican principles upon the
altar OF rampant fansticism. The
amendment will strike the business in
terests Of this city with telling force.
There are nearly 100000 every year dis.
bursed in San Antonio direct, and as
much more In the state indirectly, In the
brewing industries OF this city. Every
dollar of this direct disbursement goes
into the business of this city. A large
proportion of 1t is in wages to the em.
ployes and when this indirectly is
stopped by the force OF the amendments
these wages will be out off and these
men cut out OF employment. There is
not storekeeper, merchant Of any kind
or man in trade who Ia not more or less
benefited by this 500, 900 year outlay
To put 1t on no higher ground
than that of personal self in
terest, every business man in San
Antonio should work and vote for
the defeat of this amendment. The
whole subject has been painted in false
colors and every advantage taken OF
party, church, race and human preiu.
dice TO create the impressi on that the
aim Of the anti-prohibitiOnlsts is merely
to perpetuate the saloon powers. Moth.
ing Is farther from the truth. There are
principles involved beside which the
life or death Of the retail liquor traffic is
a mere bagatelle. The amendment